Lima, Peru, October 16, 2012 – Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela are looking for a good start on the new path to the next world championship. The junior women’s teams will have their chance to qualify for the 2013 Women's U20 World Championship by taking one of three spots available from the South American Championship starting October 18 in the city of Lima, Peru.

Eight teams are playing for those three tickets to the Czech Republic.

Venezuela and Chile play the first match on Thursday at 13:00 local time. On the same day Paraguay will face the defending South American champions, Brazil, while the hosts Peru, coached by former star player Natalia Málaga, confront Uruguay. The Argentine team coached by Eduardo Guillaume will face Colombia at 19.00 on the last match of the day.

The best two teams of each pool qualify for the second round semifinals. Pool A consists of Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Paraguay, and Pool B is made up of the host team Peru, Venezuela, Chile and Uruguay. The semifinals will take place on Sunday, while on Monday the three teams to win medals will earn their berths in the next world championship.